1
as in consecration
the act of making something holy through religious ritual
the sacred site required another sanctification after it had been defiled by the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purification
the act or fact of freeing from sin or moral guilt
the Christian belief that the suffering and death of Jesus was responsible for the sanctification of all humankind
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sanctification
The sanctification of Lee and other Confederate leaders, in turn, pushed the complexities of the surrender and of the Civil War era into the shadows, allowing the myth of Appomattox to flourish for more than a century.
—
Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
The underlying problem with the West, Mishra argues, is its sanctification of the Holocaust.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
The result is that liberal analysts prefer the sanctification of allies and the demonization of rivals to objective and informed analysis.
—Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
But Ii her death allows for her sanctification, the film doesn’t quite know how to represent her life.
—Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
This sanctification was a crucial step in including medicine as its own advanced degree program at the first universities that were established around 1200 in Europe.
—Meg Leja, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023
Doing so is not a violation but a sanctification of Shabbat.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Sep. 2021
Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
The underlying problem with the West, Mishra argues, is its sanctification of the Holocaust.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
The result is that liberal analysts prefer the sanctification of allies and the demonization of rivals to objective and informed analysis.
—Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
But Ii her death allows for her sanctification, the film doesn’t quite know how to represent her life.
—Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
This sanctification was a crucial step in including medicine as its own advanced degree program at the first universities that were established around 1200 in Europe.
—Meg Leja, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023
Doing so is not a violation but a sanctification of Shabbat.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctification
Noun
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The setting is the church’s 250th re-consecration.—
Roy Scranton
August 20,
Literary Hub,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The issue came to a head just before the conclave that elected Leo pope this month, when the Chinese church proceeded with the preliminary election of two bishops, a step that comes before official consecration.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Guests may choose a water treatment in a pool that evokes the area’s limestone cenotes (underground wells) or try a purification by a local healer in a temazcal (a traditional heated lodge), among many other journeys for mind and body well-being.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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Moreover, the purification and refining process works with many types of biowaste, notably food, sewage sludge, algal bloom, swine manure, and agricultural residue.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The whole album is full of sweaty men driving around alone at night, praying for some rock & roll salvation on the radio.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
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The Vatican is set to settle a longstanding debate over the role of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ’s mother, in salvation.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Of course, cleansing is her first step.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
4 Nov. 2025
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The brand also recommends using a leather cleansing cream to treat the shoes for ensured longevity.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctification. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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